Rotational apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are apparatuses having a stator and a rotor configured to provide both a magnetic drive means and a magnetic bearing means for a rotatable element. The stator and rotor are configured to operate in unison to provide a magnetic force to rotate a rotatable element associated with the rotor about an axis and to control a radial, an axial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element about the axis. The rotor and stator assemblies are configured with complementary surface shapes to produce shapeable magnetic drive forces and shapeable magnetic bearing forces to drive and control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of an associated rotatable element.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/293,982 filed Dec. 5, 2005, entitled “Rotational Apparatus”, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/593,608 filed Jan. 28, 2005, and entitled “Rim-Driven Fluid Pump System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rotatable element, and more particularly, to a non-axle driven apparatus having a magnetic bearing and drive means.

One conventional technique to drive a rotation element such as an impeller of a rotational apparatus is through the use of an impeller drive shaft. The impeller drive shaft often penetrates a housing and the driven fluid to connect to a center hub of the impeller. Such a configuration causes the impeller drive shaft to travel through the pump housing and the driven fluid, thus, requiring features such as fluid seals or shaft housings to seal the shaft as it penetrates the housing to prevent the driven fluid from exiting the housing or through the point of shaft entry.

Recent improvements in rotational apparatus technology have eliminated the need for the drive shaft to drive to an impeller of a rotational apparatus and therefore, have eliminated the need for drive shaft seals and drive shaft housings. One improvement incorporates magnets or electromagnets as an impeller drive assembly in place of a drive shaft. However, a magnetic or an electromagnetic drive assembly alone still requires a mechanical bearing affixed to a spindle or shaft on which the impeller is mounted. One drawback to this arrangement is the mechanical bearing tends to wear over time requiring maintenance, downtime, and at some point replacement. Further, mechanical bearings still requires one or more seals, which tend to leak over time, to prevent contamination of the bearing, the driven fluid, or both.

Other recent improvements in rotational apparatus technology include a magnetic bearing assembly, separate from the magnetic drive assembly, in place of the mechanical bearing. Nevertheless, a magnetic bearing assembly located at a center portion of the impeller assembly tends to impede fluid movement through the rotational apparatus due to an increase in size of the center portion of an impeller to house the magnetic bearing assembly or otherwise accommodate a bearing assembly centrally located in the rotational apparatus. Furthermore, placement of the magnetic bearing assembly in relation to the magnetic drive assembly is critical in order to avoid magnetic interference between the magnetic bearing assembly and the magnetic drive assembly, for each magnetic assembly generates a unique and exclusive magnetic field. Further, a separate magnetic bearing assembly and a separate magnetic drive assembly often require complex control systems to compensate for changes in magnetic field strength during operation of the rotational apparatus such as at start up, shutdown, acceleration, or deceleration. Moreover, a magnetic bearing assembly centrally located in the fluid movement apparatus about which an impeller assembly rotates often requires one or more seals to prevent contamination of the bearing, the driven fluid, or both.

Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus having a magnetic drive assembly and a magnetic bearing assembly that avoids impeding the flow of a driven fluid, avoids the complexity of locating and controlling a magnetic drive assembly and a magnetic bearing assembly, and avoids the needs for seals to prevent contamination of the bearing, the driven fluid, or both.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above-described limitations associated with an apparatus having a rotatable element, a magnetic drive assembly, and a magnetic bearing assembly. The present invention provides an approach to drive and support a rotatable element of an apparatus with a shaped stator assembly and a shaped rotor assembly. The stator assembly is configured to generate a shapeable magnetic field along a periphery of an inner wall of the stator assembly to drive the rotatable element about an axis of rotation using magnetic force and to control a radial, an axial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element about the axis of rotation using magnetic force. The stator assembly is configurable to include one or more electromagnets, one or more magnets, or any combination of magnets and electromagnets. The rotor assembly is configurable to form a distal portion of the rotatable element, configurable to fasten to a distal portion of the rotatable element, or configurable to fasten to an outer surface of the rotational element. Additionally, the rotor assembly is formable during manufacture of the rotatable element.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a rotational apparatus is disclosed. The rotational apparatus includes a rotational element having a circular cross section and a magnetic assembly having a stator. The stator is configured to generate a shapeable magnetic field along a periphery of an inner wall portion to drive the rotational element in axial rotation about an axis of rotation and to control a radial position and an axial position of the rotational element relative to the axis of rotation.

The stator is configurable to include a circular cross-section, an inner passage, an outer wall, and a shaped inner wall. In one aspect of the present invention, the outer wall of the stator has a convex shape. In one aspect of the present invention, the shaped inner wall of the stator has a concave shape. In other aspects of the present invention, the shaped inner wall of the stator has one of the following shapes, a polygon shape or a convex shape.

The magnetic assembly can include a rotor. The rotor is configurable to have a shaped outer wall and an inner wall attachable to the rotational element. The shape of the outer wall of the rotor complements the shape of the shaped inner wall of the stator.

The magnetic assembly is configured so that a change in magnitude of the shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator changes in substantially equal portions the drive of the rotational element and the control of the radial and the axial position of the rotation element. The shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator can control a tilt position of the rotational element relative the axis of rotation.

The stator of the rotational apparatus forms a portion of a magnetic bearing and a magnetic drive means. The stator of the rotational apparatus can be a magnet, an electromagnet, or both.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a fluid movement apparatus is disclosed. The fluid movement apparatus includes a housing, an impeller, and an impeller drive assembly. The housing has a circular cross-section, an inner passage having a longitudinal axis, a first portion adapted as an inlet to receive a fluid, and a second portion adapted as an outlet to provide an egress for the fluid. The impeller is disposed in the inner passage and has a number of impellers that radially extend from a center portion of the impeller. The impeller drive assembly includes a stator configured to generate a shapeable magnetic field to drive the impeller in an axial rotation about the longitudinal axis of the housing and to control a radial position and an axial position of the impeller in the inner passage of the housing. The stator has a circular cross-section, an inner passage, an outer wall, and a shaped inner wall. In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer wall of the stator has a convex shape. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shaped inner wall of the stator has a concave shape. In other embodiments of the present invention, the shaped inner wall of the stator has one of the following shapes, a polygon shape or a convex shape.

The fluid movement apparatus can further include a rotor. The rotor has a circular cross-section, a shaped outer wall, and an inner wall. The shape of the outer wall of the rotor complements the shape of the shaped inner wall of the stator. The inner wall of the rotor can include an aperture extending axially about the longitudinal axis. The inner wall of the rotor is configurable to adjoin a distal portion of one or more of the blades of the impeller.

The fluid movement apparatus has a configuration that allows a change in magnitude of the magnetic field to change in substantially equal portions the drive to the impeller and the control of the radial and axial position of the impeller.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the stator includes a magnet. In another embodiment of the present invention, the stator includes an electromagnet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic field generated by the stator controls a tilt position of the impeller in the inner passage.

The stator of the fluid movement apparatus forms a magnetic bearing and a magnetic drive means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and apparent from the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts through-out the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention, and although not to scale, show relative dimensions.

FIG. 1 depicts an end view of an exemplary fluid movement apparatus according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1A depicts another end view of an exemplary fluid movement apparatus according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts another end view of an exemplary fluid movement apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid movement apparatus according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid movement apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid movement apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary rotational apparatus having a shaft member in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary rotational apparatus having a rotatable element in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8A depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 14 depicts an exploded view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 15 depicts another exploded view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 16A depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly having complementary shapes in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 16B depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly having complementary shapes in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 16C depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly having complementary shapes in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 16D depicts another partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary stator assembly and an exemplary rotor assembly having complementary shapes in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses a stator assembly that generates a shapeable magnetic field along a periphery portion of an inner wall portion of the stator assembly. The shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator assembly has a magnetic force to drive a rotatable element about an axis of rotation and control a radial, an axial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element about the axis of rotation. The stator assembly of present invention can have a number of physical shapes that include, but are not limited to a substantially circular cross section and a concave inner wall to generate a shapeable magnetic field along the periphery of the concave inner wall to provide a magnetomotive force to drive the rotatable element about an axis of rotation and to control the radial, the axial, and the tilt position of the rotatable element about the axis of rotation. The physical shape of the stator assembly projects the shapeable magnetic field in a manner to interact with the magnetic field of a rotor assembly to produce a magnetic torque to drive the rotor assembly in rotation about an axis of rotation and to produce a magnetic force in the presence of the shapeable magnetic field to control an axial position, a radial position, and a tilt position of the rotor assembly relative to the axis of rotation. Other physical shapes of the stator assembly are discussed below in more detail.

The stator assembly of the present invention can include one or more magnets to provide a magnetic drive means to drive a rotatable element in rotation and to provide a magnetic bearing means to support the rotatable element and control a position of the rotatable element in relation to an axis of rotation. Additionally, the stator assembly of the present invention can include one or more electromagnets to produce the magnetic force to drive, to support, and to control the axial, the radial, and the tilt position of a rotatable element.

The stator assembly of the present invention avoids the need for a magnetic bearing or mechanical bearing centered along a central longitudinal axis of an apparatus about which a rotatable element rotates and further avoids the need for separate magnetic drive and magnetic bearing assemblies. As such, a stator assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention improves, amongst other physical and structural features, fluid movement through a fluid movement apparatus by reducing turbulent flow and increasing head pressure of the fluid movement apparatus. Additionally, a stator assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention beneficially avoids magnetic interference between separate magnetic drive means and magnetic bearing means and beneficially provides a single stator assembly that generates a magnetic force to drive a rotatable element in rotation and to control a position of the rotatable element relative to the axis of rotation.

The stator and rotor assembly of the present invention are well suited for use as a fluid movement apparatus, a motor, a generator, or other apparatus having a rotatable element.

Before continuing with the discussion below it is helpful to first define a few terms as used herein.

The term “fluid” refers to a substance such as a liquid or a gas tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container or flow channel.

The term “rotatable element” refers to a mechanical element rotatable about an axis or center.

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of a fluid movement apparatus 10 according to the teachings of the present invention. The fluid movement apparatus 10 is one exemplary rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Other exemplary rotational apparatuses in accordance with the teachings of the present invention are discussed in more detail below. Additionally, a stator assembly and rotor assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention can have a number of different physical shapes, have a number of different configurations, and have a number of different magnetic properties as will be discussed below in more detail.

The fluid movement apparatus 10 includes a stator assembly 12 and a rotatable element such as an impeller assembly 14. The impeller assembly 14 includes a number of impeller blades 16A-16D that extend radially from a center point 18. The center point 18 represents the point about which the impeller assembly 14 rotates and does not represent an axle or shaft having either mechanical bearings or magnetic bearings about which the impeller assembly 14 rotates. As such, the impeller assembly 14 minimizes any flow obstruction or flow impediment centrally located within the fluid movement apparatus 10, which, in turn, reduces turbulent flow therethrough. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the impeller assembly 14 is illustrated with four impeller blades merely for illustrative purposes and can include fewer than four impeller blades or more than four impeller blades depending on the application and use of the fluid movement apparatus 10. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate the impeller blades of the impeller assembly 14 can have a curved shape and be twisted depending upon the fluid material being handled and the application in which the fluid movement apparatus 10 operates.

FIG. 1A illustrates an end view of the fluid movement apparatus 10 configured to include an aperture 19 to facilitate fluid movement through the fluid movement apparatus 10. The aperture 19 reduces cavitation of the fluid in the fluid movement apparatus 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary end view of the fluid movement apparatus 10. The stator assembly 12 can be formed as an array of magnetic field producing elements 12A-12H. The magnetic field generating elements 12A-12H can include an array of magnets, an array of electromagnets, or an array of magnets and electromagnets. The array of magnetic field generating elements 12A-12H are formable to abut adjacent elements or formable so that some or none of the magnetic field generating elements 12A-12H abut.

The use of a number of magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of magnets and electromagnets to form an array of magnetic field generating elements for the stator assembly 12 allows for variation in material properties and magnet types. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 is configurable to vary or shape the magnetic field strength generated at various locations of the stator assembly 12 to accommodate a need to increase or decrease the magnetic force associated with driving the impeller assembly 14 about an axis of rotation, to increase or decrease the magnetic force associated with controlling a radial position of the impeller assembly, to increase or decrease the magnetic force associated with controlling an axial position of the impeller assembly 14, or to increase or decrease the magnetic force associated with controlling a tilt position of the impeller assembly 14. Thus, certain segments or areas of the stator assembly 12 can have an increased number of magnetic poles or have magnetic material with magnetic properties different from other portions of the stator assembly 12 to provide the field strength necessary to generate a magnetic force to act as a magnetic drives means and a magnetic bearing means for the impeller assembly 14. Such features of the present invention are discussed below in more detail in relation to FIGS. 6-13.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the fluid movement apparatus 10 according to the teachings of the present invention. The fluid movement apparatus 10 includes a rotor assembly 22 and a housing 40. The rotor assembly 22 includes different portions with different magnetic polarities such as a first portion having a North polarity and second portion having a South polarity. The housing 40 has a circular cross-section, a longitudinal axis 20 about which the impeller assembly 14 rotates, a first portion 42 adaptable as an inlet for fluid transmission, and a second portion 44 adaptable as an outlet for fluid transmission. The stator assembly 12 includes a shaped inner stator wall 26, for example, a concave like shape or polygon like shape and an outer stator wall 28 that can be shaped, for example, a convex like shape or polygon like shape. The rotor assembly 22 includes a shaped outer rotor wall 30. The shape of the outer rotor wall 30 is configurable or formable to take a number of shapes so long as the shape of the outer rotor wall 30 compliments the shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26. For example, the shaped outer rotor wall 30 can have a convex like shape or a polygon like shape. The rotor assembly 22 is attachable to the distal portions of one or more impeller blades 16A-16D and can include an inner wall 32 that aligns with a distal portion of one or more impeller blades 16A-16D. Those skilled in the art will appreciated the rotor assembly 22 when formed as part of the impeller blades or any other rotatable element may or may not have an inner wall 32. The rotor assembly 22 can also include an aperture 36. An air gap 24 is located between the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the physical shape, configuration, and magnetic properties of the stator assembly and the rotor assembly discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-15 are merely illustrative and meant to facilitate explanation of the teachings of the present.

The arrows illustrated in the air gap 24 represent the shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12. The shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 interacts with the magnetic field generated by the rotor assembly 22 to both drive a rotatable element associated with the rotor assembly 22 in rotation about an axis and to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 provide both a magnetic drive means and a magnetic bearing means for a rotatable element associated with the rotor assembly 22.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotor assembly 22 is affixed to a distal portion of one or more impeller blades 16A-16D of the impeller assembly 14. In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotor assembly 22 is formed as part of the impeller assembly 14 such as a distal portion of each impeller blade 16A-16D. One suitable method for forming the rotor assembly 22 as part of the impeller assembly is through injection molding. In the alternative, the rotor assembly 22 is attachable to the distal portion of one or more impeller blades 16A-16D of the impeller assembly 14. The rotor assembly 22 is formed of a material having magnetic properties. The strength or density of the magnetic material forming the rotor 22 can vary across a plane of the rotor 22. The magnetic properties of the rotor assembly 22 interact with the magnetic field of the stator assembly 12 to drive the impeller assembly 14 and to control an axial position, a radial position, wobble and tilt of the impeller assembly during start-up, shutdown, acceleration, deceleration, and at steady state operation about longitudinal axis 20. The magnetic properties of the rotor assembly 22 can be varied to complement or counteract the shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 to assist in supporting the impeller assembly 14, driving the impeller assembly 14, and controlling a radial position, an axial position, and a tilt position of the impeller assembly 14.

The shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 allow the stator assembly 12 to generate a shapeable magnetic field and project the shaped field in a number of directions to interact with the magnetic field of the rotor assembly to provide both a magnetic drive means to drive the impeller assembly 14 and magnetic bearing means to support and control a radial, an axial, and a tilt position of the impeller assembly 14. The magnetic force in the presence of the shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 acts on the rotor assembly 22 to position the rotor assembly 22 in a desired location within an inner circumference of the stator assembly 12. The magnetic force in the presence of the shapeable magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 and the shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26 cooperatively control the position and rotation of the rotor assembly 22 and, in turn, the rotation, the axial position, the radial position, and the tilt of the impeller assembly 14. The shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 allows the stator assembly 12 to proportionally increase or decrease the magnetic drive to drive the impeller assembly 14 in rotation about longitudinal axis 20 and to control an axial, a radial and a tilt position of the impeller assembly 14 within the air gap 24.

The fluid movement apparatus 10 can include one or more sensors 34A-34D for use in sensing a position of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 in relation to the shaped inner stator wall 26 to control the amount of magnetic force generated by the stator assembly 12 to drive and position the impeller assembly 14 within the inner passage of the stator assembly 12. One suitable position sensor for use with the fluid movement apparatus 10 is a Hall Effect sensor, which is responsive to changes in magnetic field density. The fluid movement apparatus 10 can include a touch down bearing 38 to support the impeller assembly 14 when the fluid movement apparatus 10 is not in use.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary housing 48 suitable for use with the fluid movement apparatus 10. The housing 48 includes a circular cross section, the longitudinal axis 20, the first portion 42 adapted as a fluid transmission inlet, and the second portion 44 adapted as a fluid transmission outlet. The housing 48 has a construction to enclose the stator assembly 12. The portion of the housing 48 enclosing the stator assembly 12 can be fixed or detachable to allow access the components of the fluid movement apparatus 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the fluid movement apparatus 10 configured to include a first coil assembly 46A and a second coil assembly 46B for use in generating a shapeable magnetic field to drive the impeller assembly 14 in rotation about the longitudinal axis 20 and to provide magnetic bearing means to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the impeller assembly 14 about the longitudinal axis 20. The first coil assembly 46A and the second coil assembly 46B have a circular dimension similar to the circular dimension of the stator assembly 12. The current flow through the first coil assembly 46A and the current flow through the second coil assembly 46B can be controlled individually or collectively to effect the shape of the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 in order to control the magnetic force used to drive and to control a tilt, an axial, and a radial position of the impeller assembly 14.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the location of the first coil assembly 46A and the second coil assembly 46B are merely illustrative and one or more of the coils can be placed at other locations along the periphery of the outer stator wall 28. Further, those skilled in the art will recognize one or more of the coils can be placed in channels or grooves along the outer stator wall 28, embedded in the stator assembly 12, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate the fluid movement apparatus 10 can include more than two coil assemblies, for example, a third coil assembly 48A having a circular cross-section configured to operate in conjunction with the first coil assembly 46A and the second coil assembly 46B to cause the stator assembly 12 to generated a magnetic force to drive the impeller assembly 14 and to control a position of the impeller assembly 14 within the stator assembly 12. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate the fluid movement apparatus 10 can include one coil assembly, for example, the coil assembly 48A which can wrap around the outer periphery of the outer stator wall 28 of the stator assembly 12. Still further, those skilled in the art will appreciate the properties and characteristics of one or more of the coils 46A, 46B, or 48A are configurable to obtain a desired magnetic force generated by the stator assembly 12.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary rotational apparatus having a rotational element in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 60 includes the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22. Additionally, the rotational apparatus 60 includes a shaft member 65 coupled to the rotor assembly 22. In this manner, the rotational assembly 60 allows the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 to work in combination to rotate the shaft 65 about the longitudinal axis 20 and to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the shaft 65. The rotational apparatus 60 is well suited for use as an electrical motor or other means to drive a shaft, hollow or solid, in rotation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate one or more end portions of the shaft are connectable to other assemblies to drive or transfer a torque, a force, or inertia associated with the shaft to the attached assembly. The rotational apparatus 60 can include other features discussed above such as one or more sensors 34A-34D, the touchdown bearing 38, and the like. To assist in controlling the axial position, the radial position and the tilt position of any rotational element used in connection with the present invention one or more balancing techniques can be utilized to balance the rotational element. For example, weights can be added or removed from a portion of the rotational element to balance the rotational element.

FIG. 7 depicts another exemplary rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 70 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 75. The rotational element 75 is coupled to the rotor assembly 22 in the appropriate manner to allow the stator assembly 12 in combination with the rotor assembly 22 to magnetically drive the rotational element 75 in rotation about the longitudinal access 20 and to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element 75 within the inner diameter of the stator assembly 12. The rotational element 75 can include a number of apertures 76A-76D for use as a screen for sorting particles or may have one or more raised edges 78A-78G to slice or grind a material or object that is exposed to a surface of the rotational element 75 while in rotation. The stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 work in conjunction as discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-5 to drive the rotatable element 75 in rotation about the longitudinal axis 20 and to control a radial, an axial, and tilt position of the rotatable element 75 relative to the longitudinal axis. The rotational apparatus 70 can include other features discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-5 including one or more of the sensors 34A-34D and the touchdown bearing 38 or other suitable element to support the rotor assembly 22 when not in operation.

FIG. 8 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of a rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 80 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 84. The rotor assembly 22 and the rotational element 84 are coupled in a suitable manner. The stator assembly 12 of the present invention is configurable or formable to include a first portion 82A having a first magnetic property and a second portion 82B having a second magnetic property. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 is configurable or formable to include different portions having different magnetic properties to beneficially shape the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12. The shape of the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 can beneficially increase or decrease the magnetic force along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 to change the drive force to the rotational element 84 and to change the force controlling an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotational element 84 with respect to the axis of rotation.

For example, the second portion 82B of the stator assembly 12 can have an increased number of pole pairs as compared to the first portion 82A so that the stator assembly 12 produces a varied magnetic field along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26. The varied or shaped magnetic field is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portions 82B as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portions 82A. With such a configuration, the varied magnetic field in combination with the shaped inner stator wall 26 provides an increase in the magnetic force to drive the rotational drive of the rotational element 84 in rotation without increasing the force to control the axial, the radial, and the tilt position of the rotational element with respect to the axis of rotation.

Likewise, FIG. 8A illustrates the first portion 82A of the stator assembly 12 can have an increased number of pole pairs as compared to the second portion 82B so that the stator assembly 12 produces a varied or shaped magnetic field along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26. With such a configuration, the shaped magnetic field in conjunction with the shaped inner stator wall 26 provides an increase in the magnetic force to control the axial, the radial, and the tilt position of the rotational element with respect to the axis of rotation without increasing the rotational drive of the rotational element 84. The increase in magnetic force is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portions 82A as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portions 82B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the variation in the magnetic field generated along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 by the first portion 82A and the second portion 82B is obtainable by increasing or decreasing the number of pole pieces associated with each portion or by using a first material type for the first portion 82A having magnetic properties different from a second material type used to form the second portion 82B, or any combination of material types and pole pairs.

FIG. 9 depicts another partial cross-sectional of an exemplary rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 90 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 95. The rotor assembly 22 of the rotational apparatus 90 includes a first portion 92A having a first magnetic property and a second portion 92B having a second magnetic property. In this manner, the rotor assembly 12 generates a varied or shaped magnetic field along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 to interact with the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 to provide an additional control feature to control the magnetic drive force used to rotate the rotatable element 95 and to control the magnetic bearing force used to control a radial position, an axial position, and a tilt position of the rotatable element 95 about the axis of rotation.

The first portion 92A is configurable or formable of a first material type different from a second material type of the second portion 92B. In this manner, the magnetic force associate with the first portion 92A is configurable to be different from the magnetic force associated with the second portion 92B. As such, varying or shaping the magnetic force across the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 can assist in driving the rotational element 95 in rotation and in controlling an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotational element 95 relative to the axis of rotation. Further, in addition to or in conjunction with, the different material types to generate the varied magnetic field across the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 the first portion 92A can have a number magnetic pole pairs different from the number of magnetic pole pairs associated with the second portion 92B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the stator assembly 12 can also have portions having various magnetic properties in conjunction with the rotor assembly 22 having portions with various magnetic properties in order to configure a rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention to achieve a desired balance between driving and controlling a radial position, an axial position, and a tilt position of a rotational element. The increase in magnetic force generated by the rotor assembly 12 by portions 92B is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 corresponding to rotor assembly portions 92B as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 corresponding to rotor assembly portions 92A.

Likewise, FIG. 9A illustrates the first portions 92A of the rotor assembly 22 is configurable to generate a magnetic force greater than the magnetic force generated by the second portions 92B. The increased magnetic force generated by the first portions 92A is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 corresponding to rotor assembly portions 92A as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 corresponding to stator assembly portions 92B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the variation in the magnetic field generated along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 by the first portions 92A and the second portions 92B is obtainable by increasing or decreasing the number of pole pieces associated with each portion or by using a first material type for the first portion 92A having magnetic properties different from a second material type used to form the second portion 92B, or any combination of material types and pole pairs.

FIG. 9B depicts a rotational apparatus 90A in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 90A includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 95. The stator assembly 12 is configurable or formable to include a first portion 82A having a first magnetic property and a second portion 82B having a second magnetic property. Likewise the rotor assembly 22 is configurable or formable to include a first portion 92A having a first magnetic property and a second portion 92B having a second magnetic property. In this manner, the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 is shapeable to a desired shape along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the magnetic field generated by the rotor assembly 22 is shapeable along the periphery of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 to provide a desired magnetic force to drive the rotational element 95 in rotation about an axis of rotation and to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotational element 95 relative to the axis of rotation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the shaping of the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 and the shaping of the magnetic field generated by the rotor assembly 22 is discussed above in relation to FIGS. 8-9A and is further discussed below in relation to FIGS. 10-13.

FIG. 10 depicts another exemplary cross-sectional view of an illustrative rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 100 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 105. The stator assembly 22 and the rotational element 105 are coupled in a suitable manner. The rotor assembly 12 is configured to have a first wall thickness dimension A and a second wall thickness dimension B. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 is configurable or formable to increase the wall thickness at one or more selected portions to increase the magnetic field strength along a corresponding inner portion of the shaped inner stator wall 26.

The stator assembly 12 is configured to have a flared portion (i.e., from wall thickness A to wall thickness B) such that the strength of the magnetic field generated by the flared portion is greater than the strength of the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 along the substantially uniform wall thickness portions with thickness dimension A. The increased magnetic force generated by the flared portion of the stator assembly 12 is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the flared portion between thickness dimension A and thickness dimension B as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portion having a thickness dimension A. As shown, the stator assembly 12 has a thickness dimension that gradually increases from a first dimension A to a second dimension B. Accordingly, the magnetic field strength can gradually increase from the first dimension A to the second dimension B along the corresponding inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26.

In operation, the increase in the magnetic field strength from the first dimension A to the second dimension B along the corresponding inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 in combination with the physical shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26 improves the ability of the rotational apparatus 100 to control the radial, the axial, and the tilt position of the rotatable element 105 without reducing or otherwise detracting from the magnetic field strength to drive the rotational element 105 in rotation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the portion of the stator assembly 12 having the increased wall thickness from thickness A to thickness B can also have an increased number of magnetic pole pairs, a material type with magnetic properties different from the portion of the stator assembly 22 having the wall thickness A, or both to increase the magnetic force used to control the radial, the axial, and the tilt position of the rotatable element 105 relative to the axis of rotation.

FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary partial cross-sectional view of a rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 110 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 115. The rotor assembly 22 and the rotational element 115 are coupled in a suitable manner. The stator assembly 12 is configured or formed to have a first wall thickness A and a second wall thickness B. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 is configurable or formable to increase the wall thickness at one or more selected portions to increase the magnetic field strength along a corresponding inner portion of the shaped inner stator wall 26. The stator assembly 12 has an abrupt wall thickness change unlike a gradual or fluid wall thickness change illustrated in FIG. 10 to achieve an increase in the magnetic field strength along a corresponding and inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26.

The increased magnetic field strength along the inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the increased wall thickness dimension B increases the magnetic field strength in these areas to improve the control of an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element 115 without reducing or otherwise detracting from the magnetic field strength to drive the rotational element 115 in rotation. The increased magnetic field strength generated along the inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the increased wall thickness dimension B of the stator assembly 12 is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the increased wall thickness dimension B as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portion having a thickness dimension A. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the portion of the stator assembly 12 having the increased wall thickness B can also have an increased number of magnetic pole pairs, a material type with magnetic properties different from the portion of the stator assembly 22 having the wall thickness A, or both to increase the drive force used to control the axial, the radial, and the tilt position of the rotational element 115 relative to the axis of rotation.

FIG. 12 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 120 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 125. The rotor assembly 22 and the rotational element 125 are coupled in a suitable manner. The stator assembly 12 is configured to have a wall thickness which changes from a first dimension A to a second dimension B. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 is configurable or formable to increase the wall thickness at one or more selected portions to increase the magnetic field strength along a corresponding inner portion of the shaped inner stator wall 26. The rotational assembly 120 includes the increased wall thickness at a location of the stator assembly 12 well suited for increasing the strength of the magnetic field associated with driving the rotational element 125 in rotation about an axis of rotation. The increased magnetic field strength generated along the inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the increased wall thickness dimension A of the stator assembly 12 is represented by the larger number of magnetic field arrows in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the increased wall thickness dimension A as compared to the number of magnetic field arrow in the air gap 24 along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to stator assembly portion having a thickness dimension B.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the portion of the stator assembly 12 having the increased wall thickness A can also have an increased number of magnetic pole pairs, a material type with magnetic properties different from the portion of the stator assembly 22 having the wall thickness B, or both to increase the drive force used to drive the rotational element 125 in rotation about the axis of rotation. The increased magnetic field strength along the inner periphery of the shaped inner stator wall 26 corresponding to the increased wall thickness dimension A increases the magnetic field strength in this area to improve the magnetic drive force to drive the rotational element 125 in rotation without reducing or otherwise detracting from the magnetic field strength used to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotatable element 125.

FIG. 13 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 130 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and a rotational element 135. The rotor assembly 22 and the rotational element 135 are coupled in a suitable manner. The stator assembly 12 is configured so that the shaped inner stator wall 26 aligns with a limited portion of the shaped outer rotor wall 30. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the stator assembly 12 is configurable so that in some embodiments of the present invention the shaped inner stator wall 26 substantially aligns with the entire shaped outer rotor wall 30 of the rotor assembly 22 while in other embodiments of the present invention a limited portion of the shaped inner stator wall 26 aligns with a limited portion of the shaped outer rotor wall 30 of the rotor assembly 22.

In operation, the shaped inner stator wall 26 depicted in FIG. 13 generates a magnetic field concentrated along an aligned portion of the outer stator wall 28, for example, the apex of the outer stator wall 28 to, in this instance, drive the rotational element 135 in rotation about an axis of rotation with limited magnetic field force to control an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotational element 135.

FIG. 14 depicts an exploded view an exemplary rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 140 includes the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and the impeller assembly 14. The stator assembly 12 includes the outer stator wall 28, the shaped inner stator wall 26, and an aperture 15. The rotor assembly 22 is configurable to include a number of rotor blade members 31A-31H. Each of the rotor blade members 31A-31H are formed to have a distal portion configured as the shaped outer rotor wall 30 and a proximal portion configured as the inner wall 32. The shaped outer rotor wall 30 has a shape that compliments the shaped inner stator wall 26. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the number of rotor blades illustrated and the dimensions of the rotor blades illustrated are merely illustrative and the rotor assembly of the present invention can have fewer blades than shown, more blades than shown, or formed with a continuous shaped outer rotor wall 30 as discussed below in relation to FIG. 15.

Some or all of the rotor blade members 31A-31H are coupled directly or indirectly to a distal portion of one or more of the impeller blades 16A-16D of the impeller assembly 14. That is, the inner wall 32 of each of the rotor blade members 31A-31H is attachable to an outer wall 33 of a tubular member 37. The tubular member 37 includes an inner wall 35 and has an inner circular cross-section adapted to conform to a rotatable element suitable for use with the rotational apparatus 140. One example of a suitable rotational element is the impeller assembly 14. Alternatively, as discussed in relation to FIG. 3, the rotor blade members are configurable and formable as a distal portion of the impeller blades 16A-16D or couplable directly to distal portions of each of the impeller blades 16A-16D.

FIG. 15 illustrates another exploded view of a rotational apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 150 includes the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22. The rotor assembly 22 can have a continuous shaped outer rotor wall 30 that extends circumferentially about the longitudinal axis 15 to form an outer wall surface having a toroidal like shape. The rotor assembly 22 includes different portions with different magnetic polarities such as a first portion having a North polarity and second portion having a South polarity.

FIGS. 16A-16D depict partial cross-sectional views of other embodiments of the stator assembly 12 and rotor assembly 22 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The rotational apparatus 80 depicted in FIGS. 16A-16D include the stator assembly 12, the rotor assembly 22, and the rotational element 84. The rotor assembly 22 and the rotational element 84 are coupled in a suitable manner.

As discussed above and below in relation to FIGS. 1-15, respectively, the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 of the present invention are configurable or formable to have a number of complimentary shapes in addition to each assembly being configurable or formable to include a first portion 82A having a first magnetic property and a second portion 82B having a second magnetic property. In this manner, the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 are not limited to complimentary concave and convex like shapes and in some embodiments have complimentary shapes as depicted in FIGS. 16A-16D. That is, the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 according to the teachings of the present invention are configurable and formable to have any number of polygon or polygon like shapes. In this manner the shape of the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22, for example the shape of the inner wall of the stator assembly 12 and the shape of the outer wall of the rotor assembly 12, in combination with the magnetic property configuration of the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 can shape the magnetic field generated by the stator assembly 12 to beneficially increase or decrease the magnetic force along the periphery of the shaped inner stator wall to change the drive force to the rotational element 84 and to change the force controlling an axial, a radial, and a tilt position of the rotational element 84 with respect to the axis of rotation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various magnetic property configurations of the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 discussed above are equally applicable to the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22 depicted in FIGS. 16A-16D.

FIG. 16A illustrates another suitable shape for the shaped inner stator wall 26 and a complimentary shape of the shaped outer rotor wall 30. Rotational apparatus 80 includes the shaped inner stator wall 26 of the stator assembly 12 with a trapezoid like shape or a hexagon like shape and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 of the rotor assembly 22 having a trapezoid like shape or a hexagon like shape. FIG. 16A depicts one suitable polygon shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer wall rotor wall 30 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 can have other suitable physical shapes and both the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22, alone or in combination can have various portions with various magnetic properties.

FIG. 16B illustrates one suitable shape for the shaped inner stator wall 26 and a complimentary shape of the shaped outer rotor wall 30. Rotational apparatus 80 includes the shaped inner stator wall 26 of the stator assembly 12 with a triangle like shape or a polygon like shape and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 of the rotor assembly 22 having a triangle like shape or a polygon like shape. FIG. 16B depicts one suitable polygon shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer wall rotor wall 30 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 can have other suitable physical shapes and both the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22, alone or in combination can have various portions with various magnetic properties.

FIG. 16C illustrates one suitable shape for the shaped inner stator wall 26 and a complimentary shape of the shaped outer rotor wall 30. Rotational apparatus 80 includes the shaped inner stator wall 26 of the stator assembly 12 with a convex like shape and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 of the rotor assembly 22 having a concave like shape. FIG. 16C depicts one suitable shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer wall rotor wall 30 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 can have other suitable physical shapes and both the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22, alone or in combination can have various portions with various magnetic properties.

FIG. 16D illustrates one suitable shape for the shaped inner stator wall 26 and a complimentary shape of the shaped outer rotor wall 30. Rotational apparatus 80 includes the shaped inner stator wall 26 of the stator assembly 12 with a triangle like shape or a polygon like shape and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 of the rotor assembly 22 having a triangle like shape or a polygon like shape. FIG. 16D depicts one suitable polygon shape of the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer wall rotor wall 30 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the shaped inner stator wall 26 and the shaped outer rotor wall 30 can have other suitable physical shapes and both the stator assembly 12 and the rotor assembly 22, alone or in combination can have various portions with various magnetic properties.

The various embodiments of the above described fluid movement apparatus and rotational apparatus are well suited for use in various industries such as boating, air handling, petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, automotive, aeronautic and other commercial, residential and industrial applications.

While the present invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments thereof, one skilled in the art will appreciate that there are changes in form and detail that may be made without departing from the intended scope of the present invention as defined in the pending claims. For example, the stator assembly 12 can have an outer wall with a shape different from a convex shape, such as a square shape, a rectangle shape, an elliptical shape, and the like. Additionally, the stator assembly 12 can include a number of poles in locations to increase the drive force on a rotational element with an increase of magnitude of current supplied to the stator assembly 12 without substantially increasing the control forces (i.e. magnetic bearing forces) that control a radial, an axial, and a tilt position of the rotational element about an axis of rotation. Further, the stator assembly 12 can include a number of poles to increase the magnetic force generated to control the position (i.e., magnetic bearing forces) on the rotational element with an increase in magnitude of current applied to the stator assembly 12 without increasing the drive to the rotational element. 

1. A fluid movement apparatus comprising, a housing having a circular cross-section, an inner passage having a longitudinal axis, a first portion adapted as an inlet to receive a fluid, and a second portion adapted as an outlet to provide an egress for the fluid; an impeller disposed in the inner passage having a plurality of blades radially extending from a center portion of the impeller, and an impeller drive assembly having a stator configured to generate a shapeable magnetic field to drive the impeller in an axial rotation about the longitudinal axis of the housing and to control a radial position and an axial position of the impeller in the inner passage of the housing.
 2. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stator comprises a circular cross-section, an inner passage, an outer wall, and a shaped inner wall.
 3. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outer wall of the stator comprises a shaped outer wall.
 4. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shaped inner wall comprises a shape selected from the following: a polygon shape, a concave shape, or a convex shape.
 5. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a rotor.
 6. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rotor comprises a circular cross-section, a shaped outer wall, and an inner wall.
 7. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 6, wherein the inner wall of the rotor includes an aperture extending axially about the longitudinal axis.
 8. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 6, wherein the inner wall of the rotor adjoins a distal portion of one or more of the plurality of blades.
 9. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 6, wherein the shaped outer wall of the rotor comprises a shape complimentary to the shaped inner wall of the stator.
 10. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 1, wherein a change in magnitude of the magnetic field changes in substantially equal portions the drive to the impeller and the control of the radial and axial position of the impeller.
 11. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stator comprises a magnet.
 12. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stator comprises an electromagnet.
 13. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field controls a tilt position of the impeller in the inner passage.
 14. The fluid movement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stator comprises a magnetic bearing and a magnetic drive means.
 15. A rotational apparatus comprising, a rotational element having a circular cross section; and a magnetic assembly having a stator configured to generate a shapeable magnetic field to drive the rotational element in axial rotation about an axis of rotation and to control a radial position and an axial position of the rotational element relative to the axis of rotation.
 16. The rotational apparatus of claim 15, wherein the stator comprises a circular cross-section, an inner passage, an outer wall, and a shaped inner wall.
 17. The rotational apparatus of claim 16, wherein the outer wall of the stator comprises a shaped outer wall.
 18. The rotational apparatus of claim 16, wherein the shaped inner wall comprises a shape selected from the following: a polygon shape, a concave shape, or a convex shape.
 19. The rotational apparatus of claim 18, wherein the magnetic assembly further comprises a rotor.
 20. The rotational apparatus of claim 19, wherein the rotor comprises a shaped outer wall, and an inner wall.
 21. The rotational apparatus of claim 20, wherein the inner wall of the rotor adjoins a distal portion of the rotational element.
 22. The rotational apparatus of claim 20, wherein the shaped outer wall of the rotor comprises a shape complimentary to the shaped inner wall of the stator.
 23. The rotational apparatus of claim 15, wherein a change in magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the stator changes in substantially equal portions the drive of the rotational element and the control of the radial and the axial position of the rotation element.
 24. The rotational apparatus of claim 15, wherein the stator comprises one of a magnet or an electromagnet.
 25. The rotational apparatus of claim 15, wherein the magnetic field generated by the stator further controls a tilt position of the rotational element relative the axis of rotation.
 26. The rotational apparatus of claim 15, wherein the stator comprises a magnetic bearing and a magnetic drive means. 